LS1SS4ever

How much is the weight between aftermarket k-member and the stock one?
How hard is the aftermarket k-member? If in case an accident happens! What is the time reduction can I get from it?

EDS01SS

iTrader: (30)

a tubular k-member is a 25lb reduction in weight. No I would not use it for the street if its an everyday driver....they dont hold up to potholes and normal everyday driving to well so i dont think it would hold up in an accident to well either if that should occur.You wont see that much of a time decrease from 25lbs.

LS1SS4ever

Some friend said it's less weight but strong??

EDS01SS

iTrader: (30)

yeah its 25lbs less then the stock k-member and not nearly as strong

boondiggys

iTrader: (165)

a tubular steel tube is stronger than a stamped steel plate, the 2 dont compare when it comes to flexing...not to mension the options of rod ends...your car will handle much stiffer compared to stock

oh and if an accident happens your sol regardless

Honda Hunter

iTrader: (8)

Some companies have street versions and claim they can hold up to daily use. I think UMI has thier new one and theres another company aswell I think. What are your thoughts on those?

camaroextra

iTrader: (10)

after dragging a few k-members around the shot i have to say, the stock k-member is a beast. tubular k-member is for race only. iv heard accounts of them breaking from a very hard turn on good tires.

EDS01SS

iTrader: (30)

i have seen tubulars break at the welds from just normal everyday driving. I cant speak for the new UMI k-member but I can for the older models of different brand k-members and the 25lbs less is really not worth the price or the damage if it snaps and you end up in a tree.

blown 346

iTrader: (25)

I have a Pro Fab chromeoly tubular K member and havent had one problem with my car. I do alot of street driving. Chromoly is stronger than mild steel, and also weighs less. I take alot of corners hard etc and havent had one noise problem etc.
The Pro Fab K member weighed in at 19LBS, I belive the stock one is somewhere like 56 Lbs.

Honda Hunter

iTrader: (8)

Just because it's chromemoly doesnt make the welds stronger and from what the last couple of post are saying that is the week point correct?

blown 346

iTrader: (25)

Chromeoly is stronger, now the stress points of the welds are another story. My welds have been fine and dont shpw any sign of wear or stress.

From what I know about welding, the weld is the strong part, it does hold everything together. It shouldnt break, if it does the weld was **** to begin with.

HPP

blown346 - how many miles have you put on the chromemoly k-member on the street? What are your roads like (condition)?

Also, you said you've taken lots of hard turns, ever do any auto-x/ORR with slicks or super sticky tires with that k-member?

Logically one would expect any aftermarket peice to be stronger, but apparently they all break, so I'd be interested to know more about your experience with it. (I'm starting to wonder if the stock piece flexes by design to absorb impacts and aftermarket ones are too stiff/brittle....)

EDS01SS

iTrader: (30)

its not the turns that you have to worry about with a tubular k-member its the potholes and all the other hazards of the road that you encounter during everyday driving that you have to worry about. And no matter how hard you try or how careful you are you simply cant avoid every road hazard.

blown 346

iTrader: (25)

I have put over 9 K on the new K member, A arms, and lower control arms. The roads by me arent the greatest, you will rarely get asmooth surface to cruise on.
I dont Auto X but I have had slicks on the car, but mainly for street driving I always have drag radials.

HPP

I meant road racing slicks (all around). If you're a drag racer, that still leaves a question about ability to stand up to (extremely) hard cornering.

Thanks though.